Many people try to decide between seeing the ocean, the mountains, forests or lakes, but in some places people don't have to. If you were to travel about as far northwest as you can go in the continental United States, you could have all of it.
Deception Pass State Park in Northwest Washington is the most visited state park in the state. It is located on Whidbey Island, north of Seattle, on Puget Sound. More than 2 million people a year visit the park.
Why is it so popular? “The diversity that we can offer here is great. There is so much to do and so much to talk to people about,” says State Parks Interpretive Specialist Joy Kacorowski. There is saltwater, freshwater, forest hiking, boating, fishing, kayaking, camping, wildlife, and on and on. A local review says, "Breathtaking views. Camping. Hiking. Picnics. One of my favorite places on earth."
The park has 134 partial-hookup sites, one dump station, 20 restrooms (four ADA) and 10 showers (four ADA). Camping is located at three locations: two utility sites at Bowman Bay, 49 utility sites at Quarry Pond, and 83 utility sites at Cranberry Lake. Maximum site length is 60 feet (limited availability). It also has 172 tent sites. The Deception Pass Park Foundation website says reservations, in the summer especially, are highly recommended. Cranberry Lake Campground is set in an old-growth forest and is open seasonally, along with the small Bowman Bay Campground. Quarry Pond Campground is open year round and set around a pond. More than 40 miles of trail are available, along with many other things to do.
There is also a cabin called Ben Ure Cabin on Ben Ure Island, which is only accessible by kayak or canoe. Ben Ure was a smuggler in the 1880s who has been subject to a great deal of speculation and lore. The cabin, which can be reserved for overnights, has nothing but gorgeous views and beautiful nature and the island itself is available for day use.
Statue in Deception Pass State Park [Photo: Washington State Parks]
Rosario Beach, on the southwestern corner of Fidalgo Island, has plenty of unique opportunities for visitors. According to the Deception Pass Park Foundation website, "you’ll find sandy beaches, centuries old trees that provide perches for bald eagles, and a meadowy bluff that comes to life with wildflowers in the spring. Rosario’s most captivating natural features, however, can be found in the water.. When the tides recede, an impressive diversity of life can be found clinging to the rocks in the harsh intertidal zone."
There is also an interesting story pole called "Maiden of Deception Pass," based on a Samish legend, people that have lived in the area for at least the last 10,000 years. According to the legend, a maiden named Ko-kwal-al-woot was allowed to marry a man from the sea by her father, the chief of the tribe, and live with him forever underwater, in order to ensure the abundance of food for the Samish. The story pole is a woodcarving of Ko-kwal-al-woot holding a fish over her head.
The State Park was created in 1922 and, like many parks throughout the United States, was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. Evidence of their work include roads, trails, buildings and log railings visible throughout the park.
The park has a CCC Interpretive Center in the Bowman Bay area, which is free and open in the summer months. “It talks about the CCC on a national level,” says Kacorowski, "There is a self-guided tour of some documents and relics, as well as a movie." Bowman Bay also has a dock for kayaking, crabbing and boating.
Though the water is cold, many people enjoy dipping in the water - both fresh and salt. According to the Deception Pass Foundation, "The best place is West Beach for a saltwater experience and if you prefer freshwater swimming, Cranberry Lake lies less than 200 feet to the east. Cranberry Lake hosts a sandy beach with an enclosed swimming area on the west side of the lake and water temperatures are typically between 55 and 60 degrees (about 13 and 15 degrees C)."
No mention of the state park is complete without talking about the Deception Pass Bridge. The remarkably beautiful bridge was completed in 1935. Before then, the gap between Fidalgo Island and Whidbey Island was crossed by boat, most notably by a small ferry called the Deception Pass, which was owned and operated by the first female ferry captain in Washington, Berte Olson. Olson fought the construction of the bridge, but eventually, it went through.
The Deception Pass Park Foundation writes, "The CCC camps were responsible for building the roads leading to the bridge from both sides. It is remarkable how much this bridge impacted the area. On the day the bridge was dedicated, July 31, 1935, hundreds of cars passed over the bridge. Today, approximately 18,000 cars cross the bridges each day!"
You can walk across the bridge, but it isn't for the faint of heart, as it is only a two lane bridge and is a dizzying 180' above the water.
Kayaking is available in the two freshwater lakes, as well as on saltwater. Bowman Bay and Cornet Bay have calm, saltwater inlets that work well with kayakers. Of the many trails, some are open to horses and bikes. Others, like Kukutali Preserve, which is co-owned and co-managed by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, is off limits to pets and provides amazing views of Fidalgo, Hope, and Skagit Islands.
At Deception Pass State Park, with its lakes, ocean, islands, forests and wildlife, everywhere you turn shows you how beautiful this country can be. Book a spot today.
Camping, Destinations, Open Road, RV Parks, State Parks, Washington